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Penne pasta in a large white baking dish. A serving spoon is in the completed pasta dish.

No Boil Baked Penne Pasta

Samantha Erb
My easy baked penne pasta is a comforting, no-boiling-needed bake that combines pasta, sauce, cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and flavorful meatballs to create a quick and delicious meal. The best for busy weeknights!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dinner Recipes
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6
Calories 357 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • 1 jar pasta sauce 24 ounces
  • 4 ounces cream cheese keep as a brick in middle of pan
  • 15 oz can chicken broth
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 12 to 16 frozen meatballs
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Add the penne pasta, pasta sauce, chicken broth, garlic, and Italian seasoning into a 9x13 pan. Mix everything to combine.
  • Add the cream cheese to the middle of the pan still all in one brick and make sure the pasta is in an even layer covered as best as possible with the sauce.
  • Add in the frozen meatballs throughout the dish on top.
  • Cover tightly with aluminum foil and cook for about 35 minutes.
  • Remove the aluminum foil and stir the pasta to evenly combine the cream cheese into the dish. Top it with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese, and cook it for an additional 8-10 minutes.

Notes

  • If leaving out the meatballs, add in another 4 ounces of penne.
  • Make sure the uncooked penne is evenly distributed in the pan — and fully covered by the sauce and broth mixture. It must be totally covered for it to cook to at least al dente.
  • Let the penne bake sit for about 5 minutes before digging in. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly, making it much easier to serve!
  • I recommend buying a block of Parmesan cheese and grating it by hand. The pre-shredded bags contain anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting properly.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to keep everything moist, then cover and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 16gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 1003mgPotassium: 556mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 849IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 151mgIron: 2mg

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

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